Camera Name: Frog Spawn Cam

Live camera:

Frog, Toad and Spawn Facts

Fascinating Facts

• A typical clump of frog spawn has approximately 2000 eggs.
• The jelly around the eggs swell with water and this allows them to float.
• 95% of eggs laid might reach the hatching stage. However, in some ponds lots of the eggs get eaten before this point.
• Between 20-100 eggs might remain unhatched at the time when the tadpoles become froglets.
• From 2000 eggs only a few will become frogs that reach breeding age.
• In some ponds up to 30% of frogs are killed by fungal diseases.
• There are over 400 places in Britain where toads cross roads in large numbers.
• Toads release a substance from their skin that tastes awful to creatures who eat them.
• Frogs croak through their nostrils and not their mouth.
• A frog’s tongue is sticky at the end to help catch food such as insects.
• Frogs can jump seven times their own body length.
• Toads do not jump like frogs instead they crawl and hop.
• It takes less than 10 seconds for a female frog to lay her eggs.
• About 4000 species of frog and toad are found throughout the world! With just 25 species being found in Britain and Western Europe.
• As well as being able to breath using their mouths, frogs can also breath through their skin. This is useful if they wish to hibernate at the bottom of a pond.
• Frogs have excellent eyesight.
• Tadpoles can prevent each other from turning into frogs by releasing a chemical. This usually happens if the tadpoles are suffering from overcrowding.
• Egg laying usually takes place at night.
• Frogs lay their eggs in clumps whereas toads lay their eggs in long chains, up to two metres in length.

Spawning Success

During the spring, frogs and toads lay their eggs in ponds up and down the country. Frog spawn generally occurs in huge numbers in ponds, although, the number of eggs that become adult frogs are greatly reduced, as many eggs provide a meal for lots of different birds, animals, large water insects and fish. This is because the spawn is at the bottom of the food chain and is food to lots of creatures. By laying a large amount of eggs, frogs and toads increase the chances of some surviving the first months of life. The weather can also affect the numbers that survive. Fluctuations in water temperature and ponds drying out can endanger the eggs.

REMEMBER: There is never too much spawn!

During the 1980’s people moved a lot of spawn through hoplines and other initiatives, but now, importance is placed on creating and maintaining existing ponds. Also, there is still the concern of infectious diseases, not visible, being spread by moving infected spawn. If the spawn is not threatened it is best left alone as moving it can also transfer plants that may not be suitable for the intended new home. Never move spawn to a pond in the countryside - you could be endangering wildlife rather than saving it.

Frogs and toads are wild animals and must not be disturbed without good reason. There are laws that control the movement of frogs and toads as part of the Protection of Animals Act 1973 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. If a pond is to be destroyed, for example, due to a garden being landscaped, then it is obviously appropriate to seek advice from local conservation groups such as the Wildlife Trusts or a dedicated group such as Froglife. Then move the spawn to a suitable new pond.

A point to remember when deciding where to move spawn:

It is best to move the spawn to a nearby pond. If the spawn is being moved from a garden pond try and find a garden pond on the same street or village. This will reduce the risk of spreading any diseases and plants that may invade a pond.

For this reason never take frogs, toads or spawn to wild ponds, streams, rivers and canals. If they, or the water they are in, is infected with diseases or invasive plants then these places could become infected too.

Common diseases suffered by frogs and toads:

Fungal Infections:- Spawn that is sometimes laid without being fertilised can get a fungal infection. Healthy spawn can also suffer from fungal infections.

Other Conditions:- Nasty conditions that include, internal bleeding, eye problems and nasty ulcers. There is no known reason why frogs and toads suffer these symptoms and there are no known cures or treatments.

It is often tempting after building a new pond to put in a whole host of creatures, including frog spawn. Usually it is best to let nature take its course and allow the frogs and toads to find the pond themselves. It is surprising how quickly they can find new ponds as they can cover a wide area of land on their travels. By taking this approach you may well help stop the spread of frog diseases.

Telling the difference between frog and toad spawn:

• Frog spawn is often found in large clumps of up to a few thousand eggs in March and April, but in some cases as early as January and February.
• Toads lay their eggs in chains, about 2 metres long, round water plants. Toads also tend to be more choosy when looking for a spawning site, preferring larger and deeper ponds. Many return year after year to the same pond where generations of toads have been to spawn. The majority of eggs are laid in March and April.

Use of English Nature copyright line drawings gratefully acknowledged. Text adapted from Leicestershire County Council's Environment and Heritage Service's handout and Severn Trent Water's Pondemonium Pack